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Wendt takes command of Special Warfare Center and School

By Janice Burton
USAJFKSWCS Public Affairs

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, June 2, 2014 ) - Brig. Gen. Eric P. Wendt took command of the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School on Friday, May 30, during a ceremony at the JFK Plaza hosted by Lt. Gen. Charles Cleveland, commander, U.S. Army Special Operations Command.

Wendt, the former commander of Special Operations Command-Korea, the theater Special Operations Command for the Korean Theater of Operations, is replacing Brig. Gen. David G. Fox, who is retiring after more than 34 years in the U.S. Army.

“Brig. Gen. Wendt is the right man to step up and take command of SWCS. He is an exceptionally well-rounded leader and uniquely qualified to command SWCS,” said Cleveland, who added that SWCS is the most complex command within USASOC.

SWCS is comprised of three groups, the 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne), the Special Warfare Education Group (Airborne) and the Special Warfare Medical Group (Airborne). Additionally, it is home to the Special Forces Warrant Officer Institute, the Noncommissioned Officers Institute and the Joint Special Operations Medical Training Center.

“… [Eric] made substantial strides [in Korea] to improve our relationship with out Korean partners and to build the foundation for a multinational special operations forces approach to any impending problems on the Peninsula,” said Cleveland. “Eric will, without a doubt, carry on SWCS’s well-earned legacy of excellence; making better the initiatives we have underway.”

Wendt said taking command of the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School is an “honor,” noting that he was “thankful for the opportunity.”

Wendt, whose remarks were brief, took a moment to praise the staff – Soldiers and civilians – for their efforts to train an ever evolving force in defense of the nation, adding, “Together, we will travel the path that lies ahead.”